How Safe are Airbags, Really?

Automobile airbags save lives. Thirty years ago, a series of industry studies persuaded federal safety officials of their effectiveness, and frontal-impact airbags were ordered to be mandatory on all new cars manufactured in the U.S. Subsequently, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal-impact airbags saved 50,457 lives over a thirty-year period ending in 2017.

Are Airbags Safe?

Nevertheless, some individuals are still cautious about airbags’ safety. People hear stories about burns and eye injuries caused by the bags’ rapid deployment. The number of such injuries is relatively small. However, just as some people feared seat belts half a century ago (and some still do), a non-evidence-based fear of airbags has made some leery of them–even though the NHTSA reports only around 300 air-bag-related deaths in the 18 years between 1990 and 2008. Moreover, airbag technology was more primitive back then, the vast majority of victims were riding in cars manufactured before 1998, and more than 80 percent were not wearing their seatbelts properly–despite auto-safety experts’ consistent warnings that safety belts are designed to work with seatbelts, not replace them.

Some people’s fears may be based on news bulletins issued whenever defective airbags are recalled. Tens of millions of Takada-brand airbags were recalled in 2019 and 2020 due to defective inflators. Before that, Fiat-Chrysler recalled 1.3 million airbags in 2017 because of faulty wiring. For those concerned about their airbags, the NHTSA website allows people to find out if their vehicle has been recalled for defective airbags or any other reason.

Small Adults and Children Beware

Safety experts agree that children, the small-statured, and women with osteoporosis are susceptible to injuries from inflated airbags. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns drivers that infants and children under age 13 should always be placed in back seats and buckled into seat belts. If that is not possible, the child should only be placed in the front seat if the passenger side airbag can be turned off, which is hardly convenient. If no other arrangement is possible, the vehicle seat should be moved back as far as possible to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. The same goes for small-statured people and those with osteoporosis.

Unlike tires, motors, and other car parts, airbags do not require maintenance unless and until they deploy. When that happens, they must be replaced using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts. Some consumers foolishly try to save money by purchasing new airbags through unauthorized merchants or online, risking the health and safety of anyone riding in their car. There is no guarantee that airbags bought online will work correctly. (Those who bought replacement airbags through eBay may be able to get a reimbursement by contacting eBay’s Customer Support Center.)

Manfred Sternberg & Associates is a full-service law firm in Houston, Texas. If you have been injured due to a defective airbag or for a consultation on any other legal matter, contact us here or call us at 713-547-5460.